N7.T1 – Vesna Medenica Free to Travel Throughout Montenegro; Eight Judges Testify in Her Favor
HRA NEWSLETTER 7 – TOPIC 1
After nearly two and a half years, the High Court in Podgorica has lifted the travel ban that restricted former Supreme Court President Vesna Medenica to the Kolašin area. The court ruled that there is no objective risk of flight, allowing her to move freely across Montenegro. The Constitutional Court had previously upheld her appeal in February of last year, identifying a violation of her right to freedom of movement.
Medenica, who is accused of being part of a criminal organization allegedly led by her son, Miloš, continues to stand trial before the High Court in Podgorica alongside other defendants.
During a hearing on April 14, former Supreme Court Judge Vesna Vučković testified that although Medenica showed interest in three court cases—Cijevna Komerc, Carine, and Port of Adria—she did not attempt to influence the outcomes. However, the presiding judge of the special panel, Vesna Kovačević, pointed out inconsistencies with Vučković’s earlier testimony from December, in which she indicated to prosecutors that Medenica appeared to advocate for a decision favoring Cijevna Komerc. Vučković later clarified that her initial statement may have been a matter of poor phrasing.
On April 15, Supreme and High Court judges Nataša Božović and Sonja Drašković also testified that Medenica did not exert pressure on them or interfere with their judicial decisions. Božović noted that Medenica never inquired about any case for personal reasons and did not influence the work of her colleagues. Drašković stated she had no personal contact with Medenica beyond official court interactions.
The hearing was postponed on April 16 due to Medenica’s illness but resumed on April 28. Judges Vesna Jočić, Mirjana Popović (President of the Appellate Court), and retired judge Dušanka Radović provided testimonies, stating they had never experienced any pressure from Medenica. The following day, former Supreme Court judges Branimir Femić and Ranka Vuković affirmed similar sentiments.
All judges questioned in April had at some point handled cases mentioned in the indictment against Medenica, which alleges that she abused her position and influence to sway decisions in the Cijevna Komerc, Carine, and Port of Adria cases.
Her son, Miloš Medenica, is accused of forming a criminal group in 2019 that included his mother and other individuals. This group allegedly engaged in cigarette smuggling and exerted unlawful influence over the judiciary to gain illicit profit and power. The Special State Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against 14 individuals and one company—Kopad Company—for crimes including formation of a criminal organization, smuggling, bribery, abuse of office, illegal influence, drug trafficking, unlawful possession of weapons, serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice.
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